#53// Special Edition: Very specific book requests 2023

Recommendations for your specific book requests this holiday season

Dear Reader,

How are you? Earlier this month I asked you to send in your very specific book requests. Sending this special edition letter to you, right in time for the holiday season. I have tried to accommodate as many requests as possible. This year I noticed there’s an uptick on the number of book requests centered on marriage. I’ve combined some of the similar requests. I noticed I have far too many fake-dating recommendations. Biased, aren’t I? Enjoy!

Thank you for sending in your requests and thank you for the kind words in the feedback on this newsletter. You really made my day! I hope this day brings you smiles.

(Read in browser if Gmail shortens this email)

Recommend

A cozy colorful underrated graphic novel recommendation

Not underrated by The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill is extremely cozy with tea and dragons.

Your all-time favourite book that you swear by

Stay with me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ that follows a Nigerian couple is an electrifying book on marriage that I love. It is also one of the books on my list that has an extremely high success rate (by that I mean that the number of people who loved the book after reading it on my recommendation is very high). I hope you love it.

Books similar to Marriage Story on Netflix

I haven’t watched this. But from what wiki tells me, I think you might enjoy Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller. It is a slow reveal suspense about a marriage and the disappearance of a wife, told through letters hidden in books. Stunning book.

A cozy, swoony book on high school love/first love experience

This time it’s real by Ann Liang had ALL the Kdrama feels and is very cozy and swoony. A school girl’s essay on love goes viral and she is forced to fake date her celebrity classmate. A word of warning—it is more vibes than plot or character development, but will surely tick your escapism needs and Kdrama soul.

Historic non-fiction

One of my absolute favourites of 2023 was a trilogy of graphic novels Hakim’s Odyssey by Fabien Toulmé, translated by Hannah Chute, chronicling the journey of a refugee fleeing from Syria to France. Some panels really broke me as Hakim undertakes this journey with his infant child. This is a real-life story narrated to Toulmé and there are a few pages at the end of Book 3 about how the characters are faring in real life now. I think this book did more for me than all news items combined. This was an accidental pick at the library, and I thank the librarian who put it on display. It would’ve been a loss to have not read this book in my lifetime. A must-read.

A funny, lighthearted book to finish off a meh and stressful day

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren starring identical twin sisters Ami and Olive. The book begins with Ami’s perfect wedding to the perfect fiancé ending as not-so-perfect. Olive is forced to go on an all-expenses paid honeymoon to Hawaii with her sworn enemy for life, Ethan because the newly wedded couple can’t make it. As circumstances would have it, the enemies are forced to fake-date at their fake honeymoon. Very fun!

A book for a snowy, winter day

The Polar Bear Explorer’s Club by Alex Bell for a snowy adventure with a group of awesome middle graders. You can vicariously indulge in snowy adventures while staying warm in your bed.

Any cheerful Christmas book

Kiss her once for me by Alison Cochrun is the perfect festive romcom. A woman fake dates her landlord and visits his family for the holidays but discovers that his sister is the woman she fell in love with on a magical Christmas eve a year ago and who disappeared right after.

Something like Middlemarch but not Austen

How about North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell? It is one of my favourite classics. You’ll love the backdrop of the rise of industrialization and well fleshed characters.

Best detective novel 2023

I enjoyed I let you go by Claire Mackintosh (2014) this year. A five-year-old boy Jacob dies in a hit-and-run accident. The mother Jenna is overcome with sadness and moves to a remote Welsh town while the Bristol CID police team, led by Ray Stephens are trying to track down the driver of the car who hit Jacob and drove away. As we read, there’s an element of suspense, secrets that surround Jenna, workplace problems and personal issues affecting Ray; and of these come together in a oh-my-god twist. Great character development and twists that makes you think nothing is as it seems.

A book that’s sweep me off my feet romantic

Take a hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert begins with the video of ex-rugby player Zaf rescuing PhD student Dani when a fire drill at their office building goes wrong, going viral. Consequences—The duo fake date their way into, well, everything that’ll ‘sweep you off your feet’.

Historical fiction set in India

Delhi: A soliloquy by M Mukundan, translated by Fathima EV and Nandakumar K. This chunky book about Malayali immigrants in Delhi chronicles important events in history like the Indo-China war, Indo-Pak war, emergency, anti-Sikh riots and more.

A YA book that felt different

This year I loved reading The Firekeeper’s daughter by Angeline Boulley which is about many things—hockey, indigenous communities, racism, drugs, money, traditional medicine vs English medicine, grandmothers, single mothers. It follows a biracial teenager Daunis, an unenrolled tribal member who tries to find her identity in realtion to her white family and her Native American one. It was an enlightening read about the ways of indigenous communities, Ojibwe folktale, sense of community and also how someone like Daunis can encompass multitudes. (You will fight some articles I googled and found interesting shared in the Highlights ‘Jul 2023’ at @thesatchelbookclub on Instagram).

Contemporary lit but peppy

Honey and spice by Bolu Babalola is fun and peppy and has the best banter between the main leads. A Black British woman Kiki and host of a famous student radio show warns the girls of her African-Caribbean society at her uni to stay away from a certain ‘wasteman’ Malaikai, but then happens to kiss him (read to find out), and now the enemies have to fake date to save their reputation.

Something about feeling guilt over good deeds people do for us when we can’t pay back

Instead of a book, I thought of The Danish girl set in mid-1920s Copenhagen directed by Tom Hooper. It is based on the novel by David Ebershoff (I haven’t read), and loosely inspired by the lives of Danish painters Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. Gerda’s husband, a closeted trans woman, comes to term with his identity and this ripples across their marriage and friendship as Gerda supports her partner’s decisions and truth. It isn’t exactly guilt of the characters portrayed, but rather the way it hits you as a viewer. There’s a scene where Lili wants to find love and live her life (a large part of which she had lost as a closeted trans man) and the Gerda has mixed feelings as the understanding, helpful person still in love with her partner. Words are exchanged that makes you think about the boundaries of sacrifice. The first time I watched it I felt like the world was ending. Both characters are right in their own ways (or not) and yet, the way it hurts!

A book like The Secret Society of Irregular Witches

I am reading an advanced reading copy of Honey witch by Sydney J Shields this month—a sapphic cottage core with a grumpy-sunshine trope—and it feels cozy with similar vibes; releasing in 2024. Also did you know Sangu Mandanna is publishing A witch’s guide to magical innkeeping in 2024 and it might just be as cozy as The Secret Society of Irregular Witches? For now, how about The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson, a middle grade novel of whimsy and adventure, reimagining the myths of Baba Yaga.

A book with star crossed lovers

I’ve been reading the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor and I absolutely love it. I am only half way through Book 2, keeping it aside only because newer books are vying for my attention, but I think it’s a great pick. It follows a blue haired, multi lingual girl in Prague who sketches monsters and catches the attention of an angel warrior. Oh, there’s something about teeth too. Very binge-able.

A book with cats that is not sad

All the cat books are sad, right? Oh no. Let me share one of my favourite cat stories by Neil Gaiman, The Price (read here). I would also recommend the cat section in A Dream of a Thousand Cats (Sandman, Neil Gaiman) which stumped me. You can also take the easy way out and watch the bonus episode of the adaptation in Sandman Season 1. Now that I think of it, The Price is also a little sad?

Something that makes you think about life

Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason made me bawl my eyes out. Some might argue about the ending, but it was exactly what I needed. It makes you think how nothing in life or marriage happens the way we want to. We ourselves are beyond our control.

Escapist book for a new mom who has sleepless nights and can read max 10-20 pages a day/ Book for someone new to the workforce and struggling to finish a book

Crazy, rich Asians by Kevin Kwan can be read in short breaks and doesn’t need you to remember a lot of details and is very much fun. Club you to death by Anuja Chauhan about a romance in the backdrop of a murder (not gory or triggering) at an elite Delhi club is also fun. Also check out this list of recommendations of fun books by two well-read friends.

Twisty thriller that made your heart go thumping

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman gave me an adrenaline rush. It is about a novelist marrying to an eccentric, rich family but soon realizes that the tape her father-in-law shared with her as content for a ‘book’ he is planning to write might be an actual murder confession. Eccentric rich people games included.

A book that surprised you in a good way

I couldn’t be more surprised by a lesbian chain-smoking nun who turns detective to uncover certain mysterious turn of events in a private school. It was witty, indulgent and is one of my favourites of the year. Scorched grace by Margot Douaihy.

A famous book you loved more than you thought you would

As I read Fresh water for flowers by Valérie Perrin, translated by Hildegarde Serle, I realized that I was mistaken that it must be a hyped book. It is a precious, heartwarming book that provides a wonderful reading experience. It deserves all the praise.

A book of 2023 you wish more people read

Koku Akambi and the heart of midnight by Maria Motunrayo Adebisi is a middle grade book inspired by West African mythology. A boy from London accidentally unleashes a demon on his school trip and now has a mission to complete with two sidekicks. Shape shifters, assassins, magic,

Sweet romance with reverse grump and sunshine in small town

I am going to suggest a book that’s on my TBR. Not small town I guess. Window shopping by Tessa Bailey is a spicy romance about a sunshine man+grumpy woman meeting over holiday themed windows outside a department store.

Lost places

I couldn’t think of any, but check this Lithub list

Something like Poonachi by Perumal Murugan

This book isn’t like Poonachi in style but it makes you think about so many things the way Poonachi does and I feel it deserves more readership. Estuary by Perumal Murugan, translated by Nandini Krishnan is a commentary on the college education system in India and makes you think about some uncomfortable truths.

Something that’ll make me laugh till my sides hurt

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah made me laugh a lot even when he is talking about more serious stuff. I would recommend the audiobook narrated by Noah himself.

Mature, nuanced romance

Maybe Emily Henry books? I enjoyed Happy Place by Emily Henry about a group of friends meeting together at a cottage in Maine and the couple in the group haven’t shared that they aren’t together anymore. (PS: I always think Emily Henry’s conflicts can be resolved if the characters actually talk to one another, so there’s that part that might be not-so-mature?)

Betrayal by friends

Necessary People by Ann Pitoniak about toxic friendship and unlikeable people. Two college friends (one rich, one who cleans up the other’s mess) butt heads at workplace.

A proper police procedural with a murder that doesn’t involve the mafia or some organised crime that’s not Tana French, Cara Hunter, Dervla Mctiernan, Keigo Higashino

This is so specific and difficult :D. I have a rec for the person who asked based on their reading taste. Rivers of London by Ben Aaranovitch is a very real life-like police procedural but with magic. A freshly minted black police officer Grant hopes to be a detective but his life goes in another direction when the prime witness to a murder is a ghost. His skills are spotted by an Inspector and soon Grant finds himself as a trainee wizard in addition to trying to solve brutal murders happening in the city. Urban, British humour, detective vibes.

For the rest of you, Tana French is the queen. Check this list on where to start with Tana French.

BONUS:

More book recommendations of new releases if that’s your thing in this summer reading list 2023

End of the years often bring mixed feelings. I hope your year was not too bad. If it was, let’s hope 2024 compensates for the bad memories. If it was amazing, I am happy for you; may 2024 be even better.

Remember to be kind to yourself as 2023 comes to an end. You do not need to compare your journey with others. Maybe you lost a friend or loved one. Maybe you failed. Maybe your happiness feels pointless because something at the back of your head is bothering you and making the joy shine dimly. But there’s always tomorrow to start again. We will never know what tomorrow brings. Nobody knows you as well as you know yourself. You’ll be fine. Be there for yourself.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. If you picked a book from this list for yourself or a loved one, write to me. I would love to hear from you. Do share this list with your book loving friends and let’s all read more together.

See you next year. Drink hot cocoa for me please,

Resh x